Kiwifruit plant named &#39;y356&#39;

ABSTRACT

A kiwifruit plant particularly distinguished by very early maturing fruit, hairless fruit surface with conspicuous mid brown lenticels, yellow fruit flesh, ovoid longitudinal and circular cross section fruit shape, slightly blunt protruding stylar end, is described.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Actinidia chinensis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Y356’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit) hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Y356’ or the ‘new plant’. ‘Y356’ was selected from a population of seedlings derived from crossing two kiwifruit selections ‘R5’ (unpatented), the female, and ‘RY’ (unpatented), the non-fruiting male, using controlled pollination in the course of a planned kiwifruit variety breeding program. The cross was made in October 2004 by Donald Alfred Skelton at Rangiriri, New Zealand.

The new plant has been asexually propagated in Rangiriri, New Zealand by grafting and the unique combination of characteristics of the new plant has been found to be reproducible and stable in successive generations of propagation. In order to obtain true-to-type clones of the initial plant, asexually propagated plants were obtained by grafting dormant buds from the original seedling onto rootstock.

Plant Variety rights application for ‘Y356’ was filed in New Zealand on 20 Jul., 2007 and assigned the application number KIW030. Plant Breeders rights for ‘Y356’ was filed in Australia on 15 February 2010 and assigned the application number 201/029. Propagation material of ‘Y356’ has never been sold or made publically available prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of the new plant when grown under normal horticultural practices in Te Puke, New Zealand:

1. Very early maturing fruit

2. Hairless fruit surface with conspicuous mid brown lenticels

3 Yellow fruit flesh

4. Ovoid longitudinal and circular cross section fruit shape

5. Slightly blunt protruding stylar end

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The new plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show in full color typical specimens of the plant habit, foliage, fruit and flowers of the new variety ‘Y356’. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs include a plant approximately one year old after grafting on Actinidia deliciosa ‘Bruno’ (unpatented) rootstock in optimum conditions in Te Puke, New Zealand.

FIG. 1 shows typical ripe whole fruit in the studio

FIG. 2 shows typical fruit cross section in the studio

FIG. 3 shows typical whole fruit in the studio—stylar end, side view

FIG. 4 shows typical whole fruit in the studio—stylar end, top view

FIG. 5 shows typical whole fruit in the studio—stem end, top view

FIG. 6 shows typical fruit on the vine

FIG. 7 shows grafted plant with flower buds

FIG. 8 shows one year old grafted plant

FIG. 9 shows flowers on the vine

FIG. 10 shows very young leaf on the vine

FIG. 11 shows top side of young leaf in the studio from above (abaxial surface)

FIG. 12 shows bottom side of young leaf in the studio from below (adaxial surface)

FIG. 13 shows top side of mature leaf in the studio from above (abaxial surface)

FIG. 14 shows bottom side mature leaf in the studio from below (adaxial surface)

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Y356’. The following observations, measurements and values were made on three year old vines grafted onto ‘Bruno’ (unpatented) rootstock, and managed under standard orchard practice. Random measurements of each characteristic were obtained from samples of 6 plants unless otherwise stated.

Horticultural terminology is used in accordance with UPOV guidelines for kiwi. All dimensions are in millimetres, and all weights are in grams (unless otherwise stated). Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature and moisture), nutrient availability, rootstocks, or other factors. Color readings were taken in natural light. Color references are primarily to the 1995 edition of the Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London (R.H.S.), except where general colours of ordinary significance are used.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Actindiaceae.         -   Botanical name.—Actinidia chinensis.         -   Common name.—Kiwifruit. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—A kiwifruit selection ‘R5’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—A kiwifruit selection ‘RY’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Plant habit.—female plant of twining habit and strong             vigour, producing many one year old canes and large leaves.         -   Average plant size.—plants are grown on a standard pergola             structure at a height of 1.8 m, each plant was pruned to             occupy a canopy area of approximately 15 m².         -   Ploidy.—Diploid.         -   Propagation.—Grafting of dormant buds onto rootstock and             micro propagation by tissue culture. -   Shoots:     -   -   Texture of young shoots.—minutely, sparsely pubescent with             small brown hairs.         -   Colour of young shoots.—yellow-green, RHS 144B.         -   Diameter of mature shoots.—6.5 mm to 7.5 mm.         -   Texture of mature shoots.—smooth with weakly conspicuous             raised lenticels.         -   Colour of mature shoots.—greyed-orange, RHS 166B.         -   Lenticels on shoots.—Quantity/density: sparse Size: 0.5 mm             by 1.5 mm Shape: narrowly elliptical Colour: greyed-orange,             RHS 165C. -   Leaves:     -   -   Quantity per one metre of mature shoot.—16 to 22.         -   Arrangement.—alternate.         -   Length (mature leaf).—130 mm to 170 mm.         -   Width (mature leaf).—130 mm to 190 mm.         -   Shape.—cordate to orbicular.         -   Apex.—rounded with broad cuspidate tip.         -   Base.—cordate, some overlapping.         -   Margin.—ciliate.         -   Leaf spines.—not present.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: leathery with weak puckering Lower             surface: minutely pubescent, with more dense hairs on main             veins.         -   Colour.—Young leaves, upper surface: yellow green, RHS 144A             with red anthocyanin colouration RHS 46A on very young             immature leaves Young leaves, lower surface: yellow green,             RHS 147C Mature leaves, upper surface: yellow green, RHS             146A Mature leaves, lower surface: yellow green, RHS 146D.         -   Venation.—Pattern: reticulate Colour, upper surface: yellow             green, RHS 153A Colour, lower surface: yellow green, RHS             153D.         -   Petiole (leaf stem).—Length: 70 mm to 130 mm Diameter (cross             section) 1 mm to 2 mm Colour: yellow, RHS 10D with weak red             anthocyanin colouration RHS 46A on the upper side on young             leaves Texture: smooth. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—one king flower with occasional 1-2             smaller side flowers.         -   Natural flowering season.—First flowers early October, with             a flowering period of approximately 14 days.         -   Flower number per square metre.—50 to 60.         -   Fragrance.—absent.         -   Longevity of viable flowers on the plant.—4 days.         -   Pedicel (stalk holding each flower).—Strength: strong             Length: 35 mm to 40 mm Colour: yellow green, RHS 145B             Texture: minutely, sparsely pubescent.         -   Flowers.—Flower bud (diameter): 8 mm to 12 mm Flower bud             (length): 7 mm to 11 mm Colour of bud: greyed green, RHS             191C Shape of bud: round to slightly flattened Diameter of             individual flower: average 50 mm (king flower) Arrangement             of petals: overlapping.         -   Petals.—Quantity: 6 to 10 (average 8) Length: 19 mm to 26 mm             Width: 16 mm to 21 mm Type of colouration: Colour, primary             when fully opened: white, 155D Colour, base of petals and             centre (inside) when fully opened: yellow, 4D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity:>5 Length: 8 mm (average) Width: 4 mm             (average) Colour: greyed green, RHS 191D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Styles.—Quantity: 30-32 (average) Attitude: semi erect             Colour: white, RHS 155D.         -   Stamens.—Quantity: 60 to 70.         -   Anthers.—Colour: yellow orange, RHS 17A.         -   Ovary.—(king flower) Length: 10 mm Shape: Ovoid Colour:             white, RHS 155D. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—75 mm (average).         -   Diameter.—53 mm (average).         -   Weight range.—70 g to 210 g.         -   Average weight.—110-115 g.         -   Shape.—Longitudinal: ovoid Stylar end: weakly protruding             Shoulder: broad Cross section: circular.         -   Stalks.—Length: 35 mm to 40 mm Diameter: 3 mm to 4 mm             Texture on mature fruit: smooth, no pubescence Colour on             mature fruit: grey brown, RHS 199A.         -   Skin.—.         -   Colour (at harvest).—yellow-green RHS 152B Texture: Hairless             with conspicuous lenticels Adherence to flesh: moderate.         -   Lenticels.—Quantity: dense Colour: greyed orange RHS 164A             Size: 1-2 mm (diameter).         -   Pericarp.—Outer colour, early: yellow green RHS 150B Outer             colour, mature: yellow, RHS 11A Inner colour, mature: yellow             green, RHS 11B Hue angle: Reaches a hue angle of 103°             approximately 140 days (varies with season) after full             bloom.         -   Core of fruit.—Colour, mature: yellow, RHS 4C Quantity of             locules: average 30 Quantity of Seeds: average 25 per             transverse slice through middle of fruit Colour of seeds:             greyed purple, RHS 187A.         -   Flavour.—Taste: sweet tropical flavour Texture: smooth Dry             matter at harvest: 19-20% average Brix level at harvest: 8%             average Brix level at consumption: 16-17% average. -   Rootstock: Y356 commonly grown on “Actinidia deliciosa” ‘Bruno’     (unpatented) rootstock -   Vegetative bud break:     -   -   Timing.—early September.         -   Quantity of buds breaking.—95%.         -   Crop load.—40-50 per square meter average after thinning.         -   Leaf senescence.—late April, early May. -   Disease resistance: No observations made. -   Insect resistance: No observations made. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates low temperatures to     approximately−5° C. without negative effects, tolerates high     temperatures to approximately 35° C. without negative effects.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND KNOWN CULTIVARS

When compared to the commercial variety ‘Hort16A’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,066); ‘Y356’ has slightly later flowering, significantly earlier fruit maturation, reaches a hue angle of 103° 10-14 days earlier, a circular fruit cross section and a less protruding stylar end.

When compared to the commercial variety ‘Y374’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,174); ‘Y356’ has a hairless fruit skin, dense conspicuous brown lenticels on the fruit skin and a lighter average fruit weight.

When compared to the female parent ‘R5’ (unpatented); ‘Y356’ has a much heavier average fruit weight, fruit maturation 6-8 weeks earlier, more broad shouldered fruit with a much less protruding stylar end and smooth fruit skin (‘R5’ has light vertical striations on the exterior of the fruit).

When compared to the male parent ‘RY’ (unpatented) which is a non-fruiting male pollinator; ‘Y356’ bears fruit

When compared to the commercial variety ‘W47’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,777) which has the same male and female parents as ‘Y356’; ‘Y356’ has significantly earlier fruit maturation.

When compared the commercial variety ‘Y118’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,956) which has the same male and female parents as ‘Y356’; ‘Y356’ has a hairless fruit skin and an ovoid fruit shape. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of kiwifruit plant as shown and described herein. 